https://sites.google.com/feeds/content/cookcountylocalenergy.org/website2019-03-21T18:42:35.743ZPosts of NewsGoogle Sites1https://sites.google.com/feeds/content/cookcountylocalenergy.org/website/20547165023908934542018-01-11T20:14:21.690Z2018-11-24T03:20:11.886Z2018-11-24T03:20:09.909ZGrants Available for East End Rental Properties

ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRANTS AVAILABLE IN 2018!

The Cook County Local Energy Project will work with grant funding from the Opp Hvidston Foundation to provide an opportunity for two homes or businesses to increase energy efficiency, save renters money on energy bills, make improvements to existing buildings, decrease carbon dioxide emissions and improve the quality of living standards in the East End of Cook County.
Program Details:
Full funding for two home or business energy audits conducted by a certified home energy auditor ($400.00 value); plus $100.00 to be spent toward energy improvements. Two grants of $500.00 each are available to qualified property owners.
Qualifications & Applications:
Priority will be given to rental properties east of Grand Marais including Croftville, Colville, Hovland and Grand Portage. Secondary preference will be given to year-round home or business owners. Applications for consideration should include a letter of interest as well as a completed, pre-audit energy scorecard for the property. Please contact Matthew at localenergy@boreal.org for details.
Audit Process:
Once approved for funding, CCLEP will work with Mike Senty, a licensed home inspector and energy auditor, to schedule a date and time for an in-person audit. Based on data collected during the audit, each property owner will receive a detailed energy use report, a list of recommended energy improvements, a current list of local contractors, and energy related publications and information about energy efficiency. One the work has been completed according to the requirements outlined by the REEP program, each property owner will receive $100.00 reimbursement toward the completed energy improvements.
Timeline:
Audits and improvements must be completed prior to December 31, 2018.

The Nordic Nature Group successfully introduced their youth climate
report card to the Grand Marais City Council in conjunction with iMatter
Youth Movement on February 22nd. There were 50 people in attendance at
the meeting to support the youth naturalists for taking the lead on
climate change.

Their overall grade on how the city is currently combating climate change: D+!

After presenting the report card, the team introduced three important actions the city could take to get that grade up:

1. Create a climate action plan that would reduce our greenhouse gas
emissions to levels that would protect our children and grandchildren in
the community from the effects of climate destruction. 2. Begin creating this climate action plan within three months and complete it as soon as possible. 3. Find a way to include the youth voice in decision making for things that have to do with climate change and the environment.

The council unanimously moved to pass a Climate Inheritance Resolution
that represents a commitment to creating a climate action plan in the
next year and working to improve the city's current grade.

PLEASE RSVP to schwe233@umn.edu so we can contact you with updates or weather related changes! Contacts for more information: David Abazs 218-220-0194 or Greg Schweser 612-625-9706

The U of M Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships have been
working with producers and community groups throughout Minnesota to
field test a prototype design of a passive solar greenhouse that enables
farmers to produce crops all winter long. This structure contains a
south-facing steeply angled glazing wall specifically designed to
capture the maximum amount of solar energy possible. That heat is stored
in an underground rock bed in a heavily insulated foundation. At night,
that heat dissipates into the ambient air above creating
an environment particularly well-suited to grow crops that thrive in
low-light and low-heat conditions. This Deep Winter Greenhouse enables
small- and mid-scale farmers the opportunity to grow crops for their
customers year round. The Regional Sustainable Development
Partnerships have been working with pioneering Deep Winter Greenhouse
producers to better understand their systems, strengthen the design
elements through research, and conduct outreach to help others learn how
to build and produce in these greenhouses. The result is a publicly
available prototype design, future research, and production programming.

Support for this project provided by: The UMN Institute on the
Enviornment, NMRSDP, Ag Coutnry Farm Credit Services, Agribank, AgStar,
United FCS, and Mattson, Macdonald, Young Structural Engineers

Will Brandenburgwill.brandenburg@cookcountylocalenergy.orgupcomingeventpassivesolardeepwintergreenhouseopenhouse1https://sites.google.com/feeds/content/cookcountylocalenergy.org/website/33282269917796365422016-12-12T18:43:47.211Z2016-12-12T18:43:47.215Z2016-12-12T18:43:47.208ZFor local builders, contractors, businesses and homeowners:

Staci Drouillardstaci.drouillard@cookcountylocalenergy.orgmorelightlessenergy1https://sites.google.com/feeds/content/cookcountylocalenergy.org/website/6167414875771157202016-07-11T19:57:08.337Z2016-07-11T19:57:08.341Z2016-07-11T19:57:08.334ZWinter is coming...save the date.

Commissioner Rothman: "The federal tax credit extension will help greatly boost renewable energy deployment, reduce emissions and create jobs in Minnesota. The solar industry just enjoyed its best year ever nationwide, with more than 7,000 MW of solar deployed in 2015."

Staci Drouillardstaci.drouillard@cookcountylocalenergy.orgcleanenergytaxcreditextendedthrough20195https://sites.google.com/feeds/content/cookcountylocalenergy.org/website/78197302493767515962016-01-08T23:35:03.520Z2016-02-08T19:34:53.450Z2016-02-08T19:34:51.173ZStaci Drouillard is new Coordinator in 2016

Please join Cook County Local Energy Project, CCLEP, in welcoming our new CCLEP Coordinator Staci Drouillard. Staci lives in Cook County and brings a wealth of local knowledge to the position.

Staci earned a BA degree in Native American Studies from University of MN Twin Cities and a Masters in Liberal Studies from University of MN Duluth. Many people know her from Lola’s Sweet Life Bakery, a business she began in 2007 and operated successfully for 9 years.

She has also produced two original series for WTIP Radio. Staci served on the CCLEP board in 2015 until she was hired in December. She brings a love of the North Shore and a strong commitment to renewable energy to the job.

In her statement to the Board, Staci said, "I’m committed to expanding sustainable energy opportunities and education at the local level. As a solar energy advocate and stand-alone solar home owner, I feel that I can speak to the benefits of energy independence and want to share my first-hand experience with others. I'm very excited to help connect our local clean energy objectives to the growing national trend toward sustainable energy and want to work to make Cook County a leader in sustainable energy practices and renewable energy consumption."

Virginia Danfelt worked as coordinator for the past four years and will continue working with CCLEP and Staci through January 2016. She then plans to spend more time with her family business, Lake Superior Timber Framing and other endeavors, but her interest in energy use remains a passion.

Virginia Danfeltvirginia.danfelt@cookcountylocalenergy.orgstacidrouillardisnewcoordinatorin20162https://sites.google.com/feeds/content/cookcountylocalenergy.org/website/92195011632143175232015-12-16T22:20:32.547Z2016-01-11T16:41:10.931Z2016-01-11T16:41:09.188ZProperty Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is available in Cook County

On Tuesday, December 15, the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to enter into a Joint Powers Agreement with the St. Paul Port Authority (SPPA) to offer property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing to eligible Cook County businesses, non-profits and churches.

PACE financing allows property owners to fund energy efficiency, water efficiency and renewable energy projects with little or no up-front costs. Up to 100 % of the project can be paid back over time as a voluntary property tax assessment.

For more information and to find an application, see the SPPA website.

For more information and frequently asked questions see the CERTs website.

For information about renewable energy projects see CCLEP's solar guide

For a process overview contact CCLEP Coordinator at localenergy@boreal.org

This program is run by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (scroll down to Facility Assessments)

Virginia Danfeltvirginia.danfelt@cookcountylocalenergy.orgpropertyassessedcleanenergypaceisavailableincookcounty5https://sites.google.com/feeds/content/cookcountylocalenergy.org/website/37276904624342231152016-01-01T04:58:59.988Z2016-01-01T04:58:59.990Z2016-01-01T04:58:59.986ZHappy New Year from CCLEP

To the Cook County Community,

I have spent the last four years being Cook County Local Energy Project’s (CCLEP) Coordinator. CCLEP’s mission is to promote energy efficiency and clean local renewable energy. This journey brought me close to how we as a community use and regard energy. Here are a few observations:

At the end of 2015, it is clear that human activity is creating climate change and there are global economic and political responses to these changes. The Paris agreement shows greater cooperation and participation among nations more than ever before. Energy consumption is in the news. Energy usage needs to change, and for the US, it needs to decrease and be generated by cleaner sources.

So what can we do to changeenergy use at the level we can control, our own consumption? Promoting reducing energy use by guilt goes nowhere in a hurry. We can all rationalize our actions and notice hypocritical energy use in others. So what’s going on and what can we do?

My theory is that we live, operate, and consume in relation to those around us, with those whom we consider our peers and what we perceive as a community standard. It is part of an American standard. We choose where we fit and what models to use without really thinking about it. These modelsdictate what choices we allow ourselves to make.

So, if we want to make a difference and affect climate change we need to collectively change the community and national standards and create new norms. This can be done in three ways.

First is to vote for those who work for good energy use policy that paves the way for change.

Second is to get involved in creating energy policy at the local, state and federal level.

Third, and the most important, is to examine our own energy use and change the least painful habit first and build from there. Question assumptions that govern purchases and energy use. Don’t worry about when we forget and do things the old way or make a choice that isn’t perfect. Quiet acts collectively change social norms. Set an example.

Virginia Danfeltvirginia.danfelt@cookcountylocalenergy.orghappynewyearfromcclep1https://sites.google.com/feeds/content/cookcountylocalenergy.org/website/49412110006424685782015-12-04T18:49:06.502Z2015-12-04T18:54:53.290Z2015-12-04T18:54:51.831ZNew Home Construction: Building Permit to Certificate of Occupancy

New Home
Construction From Building Permit To Certificate of Occupancy is a full
day course that will concentrate on construction of a single family home.This program is based on the 2015 Minnesota
Residential Code and 2015 Minnesota Energy Code. It will use the example of the construction of one single-family
home recently constructed in Minnesota.

Focus will
be on the permit process, plan review, alternative building materials and
methods, footings, foundations, waterproofing, foundation insulation options,
framing, water-resistive barriers, exterior envelope, wall and attic insulation
materials, vapor retarders, interior air barriers, blower door testing, thermal
barriers, unvented roofs, emergency escape and rescue, residential fire
sprinklers, guards, means of egress, emergency escape and rescue, wood-plastic
composite materials, interior finishes, best practices and green building
consideration. These codes are based on the 2012 International
Residential Code and 2012 International Energy Conservation Code, along with
2015 Minnesota amendments. This program will not address electrical, plumbing
or HVAC although these systems are integral parts of the finished product.

Skilled
workers in the field of home construction are also encouraged to attend this
program as another means to increase their knowledge of best construction
practices. The class is also ideal for someone designing and building their own
home as well as someone who will hire a contractor to do the project.

Instructor Peter
Kulczyk has three decades of experience in the construction and building code
industry as an author, educator and expert in residential building codes,
energy codes and green building practices.
His past
experience includes working on staff with the International Code Council (ICC); As
an Instructor with the State of Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
(DLI); as a municipal Building Inspector; and in various positions with
five residential and commercial construction companies in Minnesota.

While working
with the International Code Council, Peter authored six published books on
residential building codes, residential energy codes and green building
practices and standards.

Peter is
certified by the International Code Council as a Building Inspector, Plans
Examiner, and Green Building-Residential; By the State of Minnesota as a
Certified Building Official and Certified Instructor; By the United
States Green Building Council as a LEED AP Homes; and by the State of
California as a CALGreen Inspector.

Peter has
been approved as an individual Educator in the International Code Council’s
(ICC) new Preferred Provider Program (www.iccsafe.org/PPP).

He served in
the United States Navy as a Radar Operator onboard the USS Reasoner.

Virginia Danfeltvirginia.danfelt@cookcountylocalenergy.orgnewhomeconstructionbuildingpermittocertificateofoccupancy2https://sites.google.com/feeds/content/cookcountylocalenergy.org/website/6110812458858357972015-11-09T21:50:43.360Z2015-11-09T21:50:43.362Z2015-11-09T21:50:43.357ZSign up for REEP

CCLEP's Residential Energy Efficiency Program, REEP, is designed to increase the energy efficiency of homes
by using home performance energy audits before and after improvement work. The
program is open to all income levels.
Homeowners pay for the audit ($400) and improvements, but an audit
rebate ($300) is available with completion of selected improvements within 18
months of the initial audit.

REEP audits consist of a blower door test that measures
precisely how much air infiltrates a home. Infrared camera imaging measures
surface temperatures and is used in conjunction with the blower door to detect
where major infiltration occurs by locating temperature differences. These two tools along with other devices allow
an auditor to gather more information about a home that may not be obvious
visually.

The home performance energy audit also involves a visual
inspection of the home to help determine what improvements can be recommended
to increase energy efficiency. This also increases building durability,
comfort, and saves homeowners money. Audit reports help homeowners decide what
improvements make the most sense for their budget and what is best for their
home.

Contact Virginia Danfelt, CCLEP Coordinator at localenergy@boreal.org to sign up. See more about REEP under Programs

Virginia Danfeltvirginia.danfelt@cookcountylocalenergy.orgsignupforreep1https://sites.google.com/feeds/content/cookcountylocalenergy.org/website/22879636609369742282015-09-25T19:14:01.718Z2015-10-07T03:36:41.345Z2015-10-07T03:36:39.701ZArrowhead Cooperative Solar Open House

Solar Open House for Arrowhead Cooperative Members

Monday October 5 at Arrowhead Cooperative in Lutsen

10:00 am Tour of the solar array

10:30 am Community solar presentation

11:00 - 1:00 Member appreciation lunch

Arrowhead Cooperative (AC) is the site of the largest solar
array in Cook County. Great River Energy (GRE), the power provider to AC, owns
twenty kW and AC installed another forty kW for a total of 60 kW. The average
size of a grid connected residence in Cook County is about 3-4 kW.

Twenty kW belong to Great River Energy (GRE), the power
provider to AC. The other 40 kW belongs to AC and will be offered to members as
a community solar project.

Arrowhead Cooperative general managers Jenny Kartes and John Twiest cut the ribbon by the newly installed solar system in Lutsen.

The grand opening is scheduled for Monday October 5 at 10 am with a tour of the array located behind the AC office complex in Lutsen. At 10:30 am AC will present information about the community solar program they will offer to members. This is an arrangement where a member can buy the power produced from one panel up to 10 panels or the equivalent of the average annual household use.

The purpose of this is to encourage members to use solar power for their use instead of becoming net producers of solar energy. The solar produced will be issued as a credit on the member’s bill. Pricing, policy and sign up details will be included in the presentation on October 5th.

Energy Concepts installed the array using Solar World panels rated at 280 watts each. The panels are ground mounted on three terraces and includes a cleared area behind the array for expansion in the future. The panels are tilted at 300. The system is monitored and will be available online for members to see how the system is producing at any given time. Historic production data will also be available through the AC site.

Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP) is looking for an individual in the building

trades to become an energy auditor and work with CCLEP’s Residential Energy Efficiency Program, REEP. This person can also use this training to performenergy audits on new construction, which is now required by code.

A scholarship for Building Performance Institute’s (BPI) Building Analyst course is available from CCLEP with an agreement to perform REEP energy audits. Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is offering a 40 hour class from October 26 – 30, 2015 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Testing arrangements are included in the total course fee of $1,895.00. The scholarship recipient would be responsible for lodging and dinner. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Contact Virginia Danfelt @ localenergy.org for more information

Virginia Danfeltvirginia.danfelt@cookcountylocalenergy.orgbecomeanenergyauditor1https://sites.google.com/feeds/content/cookcountylocalenergy.org/website/23724424385184737852015-08-31T14:34:07.139Z2015-08-31T14:34:07.145Z2015-08-31T14:34:07.136ZSolar Get Together

Tuesday, September 22, Cook County Community Center

Socialize and potluck 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Solar panel discussion with Q&A 7:00 – 7:30pm

Socialize individually and informally Q&A 7:30 – 8:00 pm

Solar system owners:

Are you interested in sharing your experience with solar
installations with others?

Are you interested in learning how others with solar systems
do things?

Have you ever thought am I the only one having this problem
or issue?

Future solar system
owners:

Are you interested in talking with solar system owners about
their installations, their decisions, what they’d never do again, what they
would do again?

CCLEP is spearheading a Solar
Get Together for solar owners (current and future) to swap information,
talk solar and decide what the group should do!

Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL) will host an informational session:Tuesday August 11, 7:00 - 9:00 pmFirst Congregational United Church of Christ300 W. 2nd St, Grand MaraisCCL is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that empowers people from all walks of life to become effective advocates for livable world.Thousands of volunteers across the country speak powerfully to elected officials, the news media and in local communities to urge support for climate protection.Come find out how to get involved. Build a new chapter in Grand Marais as a sister to chapters that already exist in Two Harbors/Duluth and 11 other locations in MN.Contact: Rose 218-387-2113citizensclimatelobby-mn.org

This all day presentation, Building Better Homes will focus on proven and practical construction strategies to build a high performance home that also meets the new 2015 Minnesota Building Code requirements. Use of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) will also be addressed.

Presenter Ed VonThoma, president of Building Knowledge, Inc., has over twenty five years of experience in the production homebuilding industry. He is a member of the Minnesota Green Communities Advisory Committee since 2008, has managed the curriculum development for the Energy and Environmental Building Association's Houses that Work Educational Series and was the Editor of the EEBA Ventilation and Insulation Guides. He also has been a volunteer for the Builders Association of MN on the MN Residential Energy Code Advisory Committee. Ed brings a field construction perspective to high performance building.

Who should attend this presentation:

New home builders and remodelers

Designers and architects

Building supply and manufacturers representatives

HVAC and insulating contractors

Interested homeowners

Seven hours of continuing education credits including 2 energy credits from the Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) will be available.

Registration forms will be available at the Community Center by January 12, 2015 and mailed in early January. Contact Diane.Booth@co.cook.mn.us to be included on the mailing list.

FEES:

Early Bird Registration:

1/12/15 - 2/5/15 $105 with DOLI credit; $95 without

Regular Registration:

2/6/15 - 2/12/15 $125 with DOLI credit; $115 without

Lunch and snacks provided

Thank you to our sponsors and partners in making this presentation possible:

University of Minnesota Extension and Cook County Community Center

Cook County Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA)

Cook County Chamber of Commerce

Cook County Planning and Zoning

Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission (PUC)

Sawtooth Lumber

Marvin Windows

Arrowhead Cooperative

Buck's Hardware Hank

Isak Hansen True Value Hardware

Wausau Supply

Enercept Structural Insulated Panels

InFaith Community Foundation

Virginia Danfeltvirginia.danfelt@cookcountylocalenergy.orgsierraclubpublicmeeting5https://sites.google.com/feeds/content/cookcountylocalenergy.org/website/15370110179251146022015-04-23T13:26:21.124Z2015-04-23T13:26:21.127Z2015-04-23T13:26:21.121ZSierra Club Public Meeting : Costs of Burning Coal

Health & Environmental Costs of Burning Coal - Air Pollution Impacts on the North Shore

Tuesday, May 12th 6 - 8:30 p.m.

Cook County Community Center

This meeting will provide information about coal in NEMN, health and environmental concerns with burning coal, alternatives to coal, and opportunities for the public to engage in decisions around the future of energy in northern Minnesota.

The public is invited to a public meeting with Sierra Club to discuss the health and environmental costs to burning coal. A report commissioned by Sierra Club found that there are likely high levels of sulfur dioxide pollution at Minnesota Power's Taconite Harbor coal plant in Schroeder. Exposure to sulfur dioxide can cause lung function impacts, asthma attacks, and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Coal plants emit many other air and water pollutants like mercury and other toxics, carbon dioxide, and particulate matter that impact our health and environment here in Minnesota. This year, there will be a few opportunities for citizens to weigh in on decisions about the future of the Taconite Harbor coal plant.

CR-BPS specializes in comprehensive facility condition
assessments (FCA) and asset management services with the goal of preserving
existing building stock by helping building managers identify, analyze,
evaluate and implement strategies that maximizes the effective life span of
their buildings.Tony Mancuso, St Louis
County Director of Property Management will also speak about his experiences
working with CR-BPS and answer questions about working with this process.

CCLEP and CCHE celebrate the energy and facility remodel
done at the North Shore Campus building this year and successful completion of
CCLEP’s Residential Energy Efficiency Program (REEP), a two-year pilot project.
Come to our open house to see what’s new and learn about the process. CCLEP
worked with CCHE to identify areas of energy savings. REEP is now an ongoing
energy service program for the community that uses energy audits to identify
improvements and offers audit rebates. Come learn how REEP can benefit your
home and how to participate in the program.See the debut of three new energy videos at the open house.

Resolution GRE R13-8-1 directs Great River Energy (GRE) management to develop a plan to significantly reduce GRE's dependence on coal (currently at 70%). The aim is at reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHE). Coal, even with state of the art clean up and processing measures, contributes the most to GHE of all fuels used to generate electricity. This resolution, is framed as a plan to reduce exposure to greenhouse gas regulation that is currently being developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This perspective keeps GRE on track to provide electricity that is affordable, reliable and considers the environment.

GRE is the wholesale power provider for Arrowhead Cooperative and it's board is comprised of members from 28 electrical cooperatives in Minnesota. This resolution was crafted and unanimously passed by the GRE board.

After a winter like this one, you probably are
well aware of any drafts, missing weather stripping or poor quality windows in
your home but the best way to wrap your head around where you can save money
and save energy in your home is through an energy audit. By using a blower door
and infared camera, you can actually see where insulation is needed, caulking
ought to be done or serious repairs need to be made. Join local energy auditor
Chris Norman as he does an audit right before your very eyes on the North House
Blue Building!

After the energy audit, we’ll move into a more
detailed discussion about home construction to maximize energy efficiency and
setting up a photovoltaic array in northern MN. Whether you’re building, buying
or renovating a home you can get more from your structure in terms of comfort
and durability by understanding how buildings work. The class will have discussion
time with an overview of the basics of building science. This will include
design and construction details of insulation, air sealing, ventilation,
moisture control and building design for our northern climate. We will
investigate what is involved in setting up a solar array to power all or some
of your needs. This includes site assessment for solar, how to integrate the
system to your building, sizing and metering basics as well as general cost and
pay backs.

Service Learning: Tighten It Up - Audit to Action

Instructor: Chris Norman

Hours: 1:30pm-3:30pm

Tuition: $10

Theme: Sustainable Living

DescriptionTired of that steady little draft that rolls through your kitchen every morning as you make coffee?Feel like the north wind is a bit too present every night as you climb into bed? If so, then the road ahead is clear – Tighten It Up.This workshop is a hands-on primer for anyone anxious to learn the basic skills that will make a home more energy efficient.This class is REAL work, making North House’s blue building more energy efficient by using energy audit data to create an action plan. With a plan in place, student will learn to do it all - caulking, backer rod, outlet baskets, pipe insulation and expanding foam.This workshop is offered in collaboration effort with Cook County Local Energy Project.Students in the morning season “Boreal Building Basics” (during which a real energy audit will be completed) can participate in this class for FREE.